Book Early To Guarantee European Cruise

January 7, 1996|By LARRY FOX and BARBARA RADIN FOX Special to The Washington Post

It's difficult to think about cruising the summer seas of Europe while holiday carols are still echoing, yet this is the prime time to begin booking cruises for the 1996 season in Europe. That's because of several factors:

-- Unlike the Caribbean, where numerous cruise lines offer sailings year-round, the cruising season in Europe is fairly short, from April through October at best.

-- And again unlike in the Caribbean or the summer season in Alaska, where the cruise itineraries are fixed and rarely change, the European cruise schedules vary often, with some routes being offered by some ships only once a year.

-- Waiting can bring some sharp savings on Caribbean cruises if you are flexible on cruise dates and ships, but waiting to book a European cruise can leave you stranded on land because some ships fill up early, particularly for the prime summer months.

-- Most importantly, by booking now you can save a substantial amount, up to $4,198 per person on one line.

"European cruises were very popular last year," said Dino Schibuola, president and CEO of Costa Cruises, "and we have every indication that this year will be another banner year and many cruises will be sold out quickly."

Radisson Seven Seas cruises offers discounts of up to $4,198 per person on European cruises on its Song of Flower or Radisson Diamond if the cruise is booked 150 days in advance of departure and $500 per person on European cruises on the ship Hanseatic if booked by Feb. 15.

Seabourn Cruise Line frequently sells out its two 106-cabin luxury ships for its summer routes, said spokesman Ernest Beyl. "We are showing strong sales in Europe, the Med, Alaska and the South Pacific - we are up in sales 45 percent over last year at this time."Beyl added that as of mid-December, there was limited availability in Europe and the Mediterranean in 1996.

Seabourn also offers savings for early bookings: a 5 percent discount for paid-in-full fares six months before sailing and a "share" program offering up to $3,000 per suite savings when two couples travel together on the same sailing. Crystal Cruises is offering savings certificates of $750 per person, $1,500 per couple, on seven European sailings by the line's new luxury liner, Crystal Symphony.

Princess Cruises offers discounts of up to 50 percent on second passenger fares for European sailings booked by Feb. 14 and Orient Lines cut its prices 10 percent on Mediterranean cruises booked 120 days before departure. And Royal Caribbean Cruise Line offers discounts of up to 30 percent for early bookings to Europe.

All of the savings cited here are percentages or dollar amounts off the rates quoted in the cruise brochures. Some travel agencies may offer even more substantial savings. For more information about European cruises and discounts for early bookings, contact a travel agent.